SommeStag Posted 15 May , 2023 Share Posted 15 May , 2023 Hi, I am trying to find the original location of the Queen Alexander hospital in Dunkirk and the Chateau de petite synthe. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin RussT Posted 15 May , 2023 Admin Share Posted 15 May , 2023 6 hours ago, SommeStag said: Queen Alexander hospital Alexandra I have a reference that says it was in Hotel du Kursaal, Malo-les-Bains. Regards Russ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SommeStag Posted 16 May , 2023 Author Share Posted 16 May , 2023 Thank you Russ. You don't have any photographs of the hospital? Thank you for your quick response. Best wishes, Diane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin RussT Posted 16 May , 2023 Admin Share Posted 16 May , 2023 After re-reading what I found yesterday, I'm no longer certain - see this article: Library of the Society of Friends Catalogue | Details (adlibhosting.com) It does mention that the first Anglo-French FAU was at the Hotel du Kursaal (later Hotel Pyl) - but then lists, amongst other Hospitals, the Queen Alexandra Hospital being at Malo-les-Bains - so I'm not sure if these were the same establishment or, if not, whether they were co-located. Perhaps it might be possible to contact someone via the above website to see if they know anything. I had a look at the War Diary for the ADMS Calais (WO/95/4019), who, I believe, was responsible also for Dunkirk but I didn't spot any mention of the QA FAU. Anyway, you can find photos of the Hotel by a Goole search - here is one: Regards Russ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KizmeRD Posted 19 May , 2023 Share Posted 19 May , 2023 The Queen Alexandra Hospital was established during the early months of 1915 at Malo-les-Bains (Dunkirk) and was later relocated to Chateau de Petite Synthe (a little to the SW of Dunkirk) in March 1918, due to shelling. Hotel Pyl was the location of the FAU’s HQ. MB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gustywinds Posted 30 May , 2023 Share Posted 30 May , 2023 The Queen Alexandra hospital was established in the early months of 1915 primarily as a typhoid hospital and consisted of a series of wooden huts built on what had been a parade and training ground. It was built of wood so it could be erected quickly but also so it could be decontaminated by fire if necessary. As noted above, it moved to Petit Synthe in 1918 when the original location came under long range shellfire aimed at the harbour. Picture of huts The nursery school that is now on the site Approx location on Google maps, The FAU used both the Hotel Pyl and Hotel Kursaal as headquarters buildings (they were adjacent) with the Kursaal being destroyed by shelling My great uncle was in the FAU and was initially at the Kursaal before being in an ambulance section that moved around various hospitals. He later left to join the RNAS and was mortally wounded in a flying accident and was brought to Queen Alexandra where his sister, my great aunt, was now working as a VAD. He died in her arms. There are many more photos in the Cadbury collection (Laurence Cadbury was ‘chef’ of SS13, my great uncle’s unit and later head of motorised services) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gustywinds Posted 30 May , 2023 Share Posted 30 May , 2023 On 16/05/2023 at 17:34, RussT said: I think this picture is of the replacement Kursaal built in the 1920s, the original was much more elaborate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SommeStag Posted 19 June , 2023 Author Share Posted 19 June , 2023 Thank you so much. Sorry for my very late response but this is very interesting. Thank you for your time and trouble. Best wishes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tattersfield diary Posted 20 February Share Posted 20 February Am transcribing the diary of a man (Tattersfield) who worked for the FAU at the Queen Alexandra Hospital as a ward orderly. I've got to Spring 1916 & he has just described a big German air raid which bombed the Hotel Kursaal. Who was your great aunt, Gusty Winds? Tattersfield was in admiration of a number of the "Sisters" Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Michelle Young Posted 20 February Admin Share Posted 20 February Tagging @Gustywinds as they’ve not been on the forum for a few months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gustywinds Posted 20 February Share Posted 20 February 26 minutes ago, Tattersfield diary said: Am transcribing the diary of a man (Tattersfield) who worked for the FAU at the Queen Alexandra Hospital as a ward orderly. I've got to Spring 1916 & he has just described a big German air raid which bombed the Hotel Kursaal. Who was your great aunt, Gusty Winds? Tattersfield was in admiration of a number of the "Sisters" Peter Her name was Annie Kathleen Greeves but she wasnt there until Sept 1917. Are you sure this dairy hasn't already been transcribed. I have a book of an orderly at QAH and the name seems familiar. If it is him, when you get to Dec 23rd 2017 you will get a mention of my great uncle and two other RNAS pilots who died the same day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tattersfield diary Posted 20 February Share Posted 20 February Unfortunately Tattersfield left in September 1917 as Sister Greaves arrived. No, it is a new transcription which will eventually be published by Rothamstead Research (where he worked post WW1). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gustywinds Posted 21 February Share Posted 21 February 17 hours ago, Tattersfield diary said: Unfortunately Tattersfield left in September 1917 as Sister Greaves arrived. No, it is a new transcription which will eventually be published by Rothamstead Research (where he worked post WW1). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gustywinds Posted 21 February Share Posted 21 February 17 hours ago, Tattersfield diary said: Unfortunately Tattersfield left in September 1917 as Sister Greaves arrived. No, it is a new transcription which will eventually be published by Rothamstead Research (where he worked post WW1). I've just discovered another site with diary excerpts from the dairy of another nurse who was at QAH when my great uncle died. https://www.morganfourman.com/articles/xmas-at-the-queen-alexandra-hospital-dunkirk/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tattersfield diary Posted 21 February Share Posted 21 February In the last couple of days I found out about this diary but not seen its pages as yet. Again not sure she overlapped with Tattersfield. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now